PSWDO Hosts 2nd Provincial Solo Parent Summit
Hundreds of members of solo parents federations of Cebu Province on Thursday, Sept. 20, flocked to Capitol Social Hall for this year’s 2nd Provincial Solo Parent Summit.
Cebu Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWDO) head Marivic Garces said the summit aims to strengthen services that protect solo parents who are among the vulnerable sectors of the community.
Garces added that solo parents leaders in Cebu is well-organized because of its knowledge of the law that protects them.
Among the highlights of the activity was a lecture on responsible parenthood, with Felipa Solana as the speaker. Solana is the current social welfare and development officer of Talisay City, Cebu.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
Republic Act 8972, the welfare offices were given additional functions relative to the welfare of solo parents and their families.
Social welfare offices are now tasked to conduct research necessary to develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; define executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; and assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children.
The PSWDO will also coordinate on the activities of various governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
A solo parent is defined as either: a woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender, provided that mother keeps and raises the child; parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the following circumstances: due to death of spouse; spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one year; physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner and legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children. (CEBU PROVINCIAL GOv’T)
